Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd is an established headliner in the ACC. Before the year is over, Maryland receiver Stefon Diggs will be, too. Georgia Tech linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu is scary good, and Florida State's Timmy Jernigan should finish the season as an elite defensive tackle.

While the SEC boasts national titles, it's the ACC that led the way in NFL Draft picks and for good reason. The best here could stand up against any of the top-flight players representing other leagues.

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QB: Tajh Boyd, Sr, Clemson

Tajh Boyd is tough as nails and is the key to Clemson's success. He passed for 3,896 yards and 36 touchdowns last season, and rushed for another 514 yards and 10 scores. He enters the year as the top NFL quarterback prospect for 2014. (Rainier Ehrhardt/AP)

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RB: Duke Johnson, So, Miami

A Freshman All-America selection, Duke Johnson will surely backup that effort. He led the team 947 rushing yards. Quarterback Stephen Morris could take comfort in having an explosive back like Johnson in the offense. Johnson is also dangerous on special teams, finishing 2012 with 892 kickoff return yards. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

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RB: Kevin Parks, Jr, Virginia

Virginia struggled from the quarterback position in 2012. It had no such problems at tailback, where Kevin Parks led the team with 734 rushing yards. He was under the radar, but won't be this time around. (David Goldman/AP)

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OL: James Hurst, Sr, North Carolina

One of the nation's best offensive tackles, James Hurst will be a coveted NFL Draft pick. He's on the Lombardi and Outland Trophy Watch Lists. He's the veteran leader on the Tar Heels' line with 36 career starts. (Gerry Broome/AP)

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OL: Macky MacPherson, Sr, Syracuse

Macky MacPherson is a 6-foot-2, 269-pound center whose name you'll know well by season's end. He led the way for Orange running back Jerome Smith and was part of a school record-setting offense last year. If the name sounds familiar, it's because he's the grandson of former Syracuse coach Dick MacPherson. (Kevin Rivoli/AP)

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OL: Bryan Stork, Sr, Florida State

Bryan Stork is Florida State's most experienced offensive lineman with 27 career starts and 35 game appearances. A candidate for the Rimington Trophy, Stork will be key as the Seminoles break in a new starting quarterback. (Phil Sears/AP)

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OL: Cameron Erving, Jr, Florida State

Cameron Erving is one of four starters returning on FSU's offensive line. He started all 14 games a year ago after transitioning from the defensive tackle position the previous spring. At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, Erving is a load, but is extremely athletic. (Phil Sears/AP)

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OL: Brandon Thomas, Sr, Clemson

Brandon Thomas has seen time at both guard and tackle for the Tigers, but last year moved over as the starting left tackle. That means he has a big job: protecting quarterback Tajh Boyd. He ended last year on numerous all-conference teams and begins this season the same way. He led Clemson by being in on 987 snaps to provide invaluable experience for this offense. (Rainier Ehrhardt/AP)

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TE: Nick O'Leary, Jr, Florida State

A versatile tight end who is equal parts toughness and skill, Nick O’Leary is the conference’s most elite at the position. He caught a 21 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. O’Leary was equally productive as a blocker. He was used as an H-back to help spring the running game. O’Leary has a good shot at becoming a finalist for the Mackey Award. (Richard Shiro/AP)

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WR: Stefon Diggs, So, Maryland

You name it, Stefon Diggs can probably do it. He played everywhere for the Terrapins last year—touching the ball as a receiver, out of the backfield, on returns and even as a passer. He has big-play ability and is one of those players who keeps on the edge of your seat. Maryland had so many problems at quarterback last year, some stability there will only make Diggs a bigger star than he already is. (Patrick Semansky/AP)

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WR: Devin Street, Sr, Pitt

Larry Fitzgerald’s jersey number was retired this summer, and rightfully so. But there’s a player on the verge of holding the Panthers’ records: Devin Street. Granted, Fitzgerald only played two seasons and Street will be a Panther longer. Still, he needs only 28 more catches to break the school record of 178 set. His 2,047 career receiving yards are just over 1,000 shy of the record. (Michael Conroy/AP)

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DE: James Gayle, Sr, Virginia Tech

The NFL nearly pulled James Gayle away from the Hokies, but he has returned for his senior year and is now arguably the best defensive end in the ACC. He was a second-team All-ACC selection last season after tallying 43 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. He also had 27 quarterback hurries. (Steve Helber/AP)

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DT: Timmy Jernigan, Jr, Florida State

On the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, Timmy Jernigan is among the country’s best interior linemen. He is also on the Lombardi Trophy watch list. In his first two seasons, he led all FSU interior linemen in tackles. He moves into the starting lineup after collecting 46 tackles last year. FSU led the nation in yards allowed per play (3.86), and Jernigan was a big part of that. (Phil Sears/AP)

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DT: Aaron Donald, Sr, Pitt

Aaron Donald was a first-team All-Big East selection last year and now is expected to be just as destructive in the ACC. He posted 5.5 sacks in 2012 and was always around the ball. He led the Big East and was 12th nationally with 1.54 tackles for loss per game. (Don Wright/AP)

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DE: Kareem Martin, Sr, North Carolina

Physically, Kareem Martin, at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, has a similar physique to South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney. As a Bednarik and Nagurski Trophy candidate, much is expected of Martin, too. He is disruptive—eight quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, four sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. That’s a nightmare for offenses. He also forced a fumble, and recovered one. (John Bazemore/AP)

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LB: Christian Jones, Sr, Florida State

Christian Jones led Florida State in tackles with 95, a total that ranked seventh in the ACC. It was a breakout year for him, and he’s well positioned to build on that success. He’s moving from weakside to middle linebacker, where he can help direct traffic for the Seminoles’ defense. (Phil Sears/AP)

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LB: Kevin Pierre-Louis, Sr, Boston College

Boston College had a tackling machine in Luke Kuechly, who set the bar for the Eagles. Pierre-Louis is trying to reach it. He ranked fourth on the team with 85 tackles. He’s on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, given to the nation’s top defensive player. That might take some work to achieve, but he’ll certainly standout in the ACC this season. (Stephan Savoia/AP)

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LB: Jeremiah Attaochu, Sr, Georgia Tech

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are switching from a 3-4 to a 4-3 base defense, and that will suit Jeremiah Attaochu just fine. His 10 sacks last year were the seventh-most in school history and ranked third in the ACC. He has 19 career sacks and is, every game, the opposing quarterbacks’ least favorite player. He is also one of the hardest hitters in the ACC. (John Amis/AP)

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CB: Ross Cockrell, Sr, Duke

A consensus preseason All-ACC selection, Ross Cockrell is one of the top cornerbacks in the country and is a legitimate candidate to win the Jim Thorpe Award. Yes, a Duke player can win it. He’s that gifted. He finished with 71 tackles, a sack, five interceptions and 13 pass breakups last season. (Steve Helber/AP)

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CB: Demetrious Nicholson, Jr, Virginia

Don’t throw Demetrious Nicholson’s way. Seriously, not if you want to stay out of dangerous territory. He tied for the ACC lead in pass breakups with 15. He has an experienced and savvy defensive back who is a difference-maker for the Cavaliers. (Gerry Broome/AP)

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S: Tre Boston, North Carolina

Tre Boston has played both cornerback and safety and has eight career interceptions. He’s a physical defensive back he registered 86 tackles a year ago, including 49 solo tackles. He also broke up six passes and picked off four passes. He returned one of those for a touchdown. (Gerry Broome/AP)

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S: Isaiah Johnson, Georgia Tech

Despite missing the last game of the year with an injury, Isaiah Johnson led Georgia Tech with 87 total tackles, including 53 on his own. He also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. Against Clemson, he had one of his best games, with a career-high 14 tackles and two tackles for loss. (Orlin Wagner/AP)

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K: Chandler Catanzaro, Clemson

From walk-on to preseason All-ACC selection, Chandler Catanzaro has made it big. He was one of 20 placekickers on the Lou Groza watch list last year after nailing a whopping 94.7 percent of his field goal attempts, and going 57-of-59 on extra point attempts. Most impressively, he connected on 5-of-6 field goals that were 40 yards or longer. (David Goldman/AP)

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P: Will Long, Duke

Will Monday averaged 44.6 yards per punt, with his longest landing 79 yards away. That’s the kind of weapon that gives Duke a big advantage. It also earned Monday Freshman All-America honors in 2012. (Jason Roberts)